AO

Hi all-

My name is Andrew Olson and I am running for President of the 928 Owner's Club. I ran two years ago, but lost to the then, incumbent, Stan Shaw. It is my understanding that this time, Stan has decided to not run. But James Morrison, is.

Let me tell you why I'm running - it hasn't changed since I last ran, so excuse me if this seems familiar. It comes down to Value, Communication, and Clarity of Vision.

VALUE:

I own a 1991 928GT, and I've been a 928OC member for about 6 years. Each time my membership comes up for renewal I've asked myself this question,

"What value am I getting for my membership?

And frankly, my answer has been, "Not much!

Sure, I get the OC membership trinket and a t-shirt or two from various events I attend, but that's about it. Is that worth the $30 I pay each year? I'm not sure.

If elected President, one of my top goals is to make sure YOU get more value than you pay for your membership. One idea I presented last time was to have vendors give 928OC members a discount on their purchases. I'm happy to say Rogar Tyson at 928sRUs has embraced this idea. I would like to expand this if at all possible. The idea is this way purchases stay with our most allied vendors, and most importantly, YOU get more value for your membership!

COMMUNICATION:

Also, if elected, another of my top goals is to improve the visibility and communication of the owner's club. I think there has been a void in this category over the past few years. I'm not talking about a huge publication, but maybe a regular listing of upcoming 928 OC sponsored regional events, a tech corner, and a listing of partner vendor specials. Short and simple. Probably in email form. You can delete it if you want. But he idea is to make sure people know about various OC activities across the country/world.

I think the more people that see this, the more value it adds - especially to those people on the fence about joining the 928OC.

Did you know the 928 OC has had as many as 1,600 unique members, but that current membership is only at about 400 members? In my mind, that shows people are not getting value. But more alarming is that 400 members is not a sustainable membership. There needs to be a better marketing effort to increasing awareness of the 928OC and increase overall membership.

This is where regular communication comes into play. I think it might also be worth exploring advertising options. Rennlist, Pelican, Panorama, facebook, twitter, etc. I have never seen any effort to draw in new members except for the sponsoring of various events. Although Stan Show has indicated that past efforts were made, but unsuccessful. If you want different results, something has to change!

CLARITY OF VISION:

I think the 928OC needs better clarity of vision on how it will carry out its mission. In case you did not know, the mission of the 928 Owner's Club reads,

"Our sole purpose is to support owners' in their use and maintenance of the Porsche 928s throughout the world."

Frankly, I was amazed to learn how low the membership is. If the membership declines, at some point the club will no longer be able to serve its mission. Every member has a vested interest in the health and well being of the club. Every member has the right to know the health of the club they belong to. If the club is strong and growing, they are more likely to tell their 928 friends about it.

I think the leadership should provide a health report – kind of like a “State of the Club” address. Have you ever heard about the state of affairs of the club? How much revenue, how much spent, where the funds went to, etc? I never have. Have you ever heard about the direction/vision for the coming year of the club? If elected, I promise to give a “State of the Club” report every year so everyone can see how their dues are being spent. I will report on the success/failure of the efforts of the club's activities and I will also make clear the vision and focus for the coming year.

So as you look back on your 928OC membership, ask yourself if it has provided value to you? Then ask yourself if my plan looks like it would add more value?

On a personal note: The last time I ran for OC president, I had a lot more spare time to devote to such a responsibility. My children (10 & 13) have ever increasing demands on my time and my day-job has also impacted the amount of time I dedicate to this endeavor.

However, after talking with my family and friends, I think it is possible for me to take on this additional responsibility. But for me to be successful and for the club to be successful, I will ask all of you, the membership, to assist me from time-to-time. We have a lot of talented and motivated people in our club that we need to engage and leverage. I have often found with the 928 crowd, the more involved you are, the more rewarding it is. The friends we make, and unfortunately the friends we sometime lose, are what draw us in and make it a community.

VOTE FOR ANDREW OLSON

*****
You may want to look at the 928.org forum for other candidate/election info.

Randy V

Vote fro you?

Murray

I think I'm still a member. Hmm I will have to check the OC website and find out how to vote.

Good luck Andrew.

AO

Spell check NEVER catches that one!

Texbuckeye

You have my vote. When are the ballots coming out?

AO

According to this... "Shortly"

http://forums.928oc.org/Board_Nomina...d_Schedule.htm

Jim M.

AO, you have my vote and my support if elected. You may also call on me to assist with any future issues or projects. Stan has done a terrrific job, but it's time for some fresh faces and some new ideas.

Vote for AO!

Dean_Fuller

Whats you plans for the deficit? Bringing Jobs back to THIS country? Foreign policy? Securing the borders? Taxes?
If answers to above are good...maybe you should run for a different presidential office.

If not...president of the 928 Owners club is a start.

I am ashamed to say I have not been a member for the last 4 years....if there is a benefit to being a member...I will rejoin.

Brent

Andrew, I'm on board only if Noodles is anointed and titled as the First Dog.

AO

Thanks Jim. Your support is essential.

Dean,
You exemplify EXACTLY what I am talking about. If there is no value, why join? I get it. That is my number one mission - make sure a membership pays for itself! If I could show you how a 928oc membership pays for itself, I would be willing to bet a rational person would (re)join.

Done!

polecat702

Andrew, I voted for you last time, and will again. I think James is great in his position as Membership chairman. We do need some new talent at the reins, and the club needs to be promoted to intice more 928 owners to join.

Good Luck
Joe

SeanR

Andrew has shown to me his desire to take the reins for this and after talking to him at OCIC again, he's got my vote and endorsement. One thing that has always struck me as important is the ability and desire to be involved at the gatherings. Andrew has been to most of the continental 928 events, and something such as this is important to me.

Thanks for running again Andrew.

mickster

VOTE FOR PEDRO!

Livio928

I have been a member for at least 6 or 7 years. I often wonder what I get for my membership fee, other than the thought that I want to support a dedicated 928 organization looking out for 928 owners and suppliers. The site is not updated very often and it is easier to get my info from Rennlist since it has the most followers.

Don't get me wrong. I understand how much work is involved in an organization like this, especially since I have been involved with numerous boards and organizations outside of the 928 community. I continue to be a member of the 928 OC, at the minimum, to support those volunteers who have selflessly offered thier own personal time to these endeavours. I understand what Stan and the other involved members have offered. I think it is time for some new blood as well.

I think that OC membership discounts from suppliers would go a long way in promoting value, even if it is a nominal amount.

Randy V

Whoever was in charge of membership a few years ago was asleep at the switch.

I paid for membership once and never again was contacted for renewal.

No other type of communications either - basically my money went into the 928 OC Black Hole.

Maybe I'm a Lifetime Member?